Not a single student attended a book signing by breast-cancer survivor Monique Spencer last night at Barnes ‘ Noble at Boston University, marking a low point in speaker series’ declining attendance.
Spencer, author of Courage Muscle: A Chicken’s Guide to Living with Breast Cancer, was scheduled to meet and greet students for two hours in the store’s fifth-floor conference room.
Barnes ‘ Noble Author Events Assistant Manager Jeanne Haight blamed the low turnout on inclement weather and the fact that many students are in the process of taking midterm exams.
“The rain probably turned off a lot of BU students to making the trip to the store,” she said.
Haight said store officials have been planning the signing since mid-August and sent out a calendar of events to BU faculty and staff to promote the event. Previous events in the past two months have attracted just a handful of students to see guest speakers that included Star Wars video game writer Drew Karpyshyn and local comedians and Red Sox fans Andy Wasif and Rick D’Elia.
Despite the student no-show last night, Spencer was enthusiastic about sharing her story.
“I really enjoy more intimate discussions, because I like to have a period where I can listen a little more,” she told The Daily Free Press.
Diagnosed with breast cancer in 2001, Spencer wrote Courage Muscle while still in treatment. The book was published three years later. For her, putting her thoughts down on paper was therapeutic while coping with the disease.
“It’s a chance for you to edit your life,” she said.
Spencer has spoken at other forums in the past and said she enjoys each experience. She was enthusiastic about increasing awareness among college students.
“When young people begin to get involved in an issue, they stand a much better chance of eliminating it,” she said.
According to Haight, organizing the forum “began months ago and was a combined effort” by Barnes ‘ Noble at Boston University officials.
“We felt it was a good opportunity to help spread the word and raise awareness in the BU community,” she said. “I guess people just don’t show up to these things sometimes.”
However, Spencer said she would speak at BU again despite last night’s low attendance.
“I go anywhere where people want to hear this message,” she said.